Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about tithes and offering?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God’s people should honor Him with generous, joyful, and faithful giving, recognizing that all they possess belongs to Him. Under the old covenant, Israel was commanded to give tithes for the worship and care of God’s people, as seen in Leviticus 27:30 and Malachi 3:8-10. In the new covenant, believers are especially called to give willingly rather than under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus commends sacrificial faithfulness in the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44), while Proverbs 3:9-10 urges honoring the Lord with our wealth. Christian giving should flow from gratitude for God’s grace, support the church and needy, and trust God’s faithful provision.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 2 Corinthians 9:7

    Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for.

  • Luke 6:38

    "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."

  • Mark 12:41-44

    [41] Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. [42] A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. [43] He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, [44] for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on."

  • Proverbs 11:24

    There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

  • Proverbs 3:9

    Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase:

  • Proverbs 3:9-10

    [9] Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase: [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

  • Leviticus 27:30

    "'All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh's. It is holy to Yahweh.

  • Acts 20:35

    In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

  • Malachi 3:8-10

    [8] Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation. [10] Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about tithes and offering and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about tithes and offering